Design studio Fritz Hansen designs the new Rocking Horse chair, which is a modern take on a playfully traditional design. The heritage team at the company dives into the brand's archives and this project started in January 2021. There were two small photos of an old furniture catalog that dates as far back as 1946 -- one of these is a rocking horse that had a shadow cast on the wall. The second is an optical illusion that shows various horses using a mirror.
The team brings the rocking horse back to life with a unique form. Design developer Mads-Ulrik Husum explains "We found inspiration for the curvature of the piece from centuries-old techniques used in crafting musical instruments, like cellos and violins. Once we started to view the rocking horse as a musical instrument, we had a way to approach the design with a fresh perspective, utilizing circles and lines to create perfect curvature. As soon as we tried this method, so many of the issues we had were solved."
Sleek Structural Rocking Horses
Fritz Hansen Designs a Modern Rocking Horse Chair
Trend Themes
1. Heritage-influenced Modern Furniture - Designing new pieces by revisiting and modernizing archival catalogs can breathe new life into traditional furniture concepts.
2. Musical Instrument Craft Techniques - Applying centuries-old methods used in musical instrument crafting can provide innovative solutions in furniture design.
3. Optical Illusion Furniture Design - Incorporating optical illusions into furniture design enhances visual appeal and creates unique, engaging experiences for users.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Design - The furniture design industry can benefit from fusing historical elements with modern aesthetics to create distinctive pieces.
2. Musical Instruments Crafting - Techniques from the musical instruments crafting industry offer precision and craftsmanship strategies valuable in other sectors.
3. Children's Toys - Innovative approaches in the children's toys industry can emerge from blending traditional designs with contemporary materials and techniques.